Inflammation or swelling of the sinus is called sinusitis (sinus infection). Sinuses are air-filled sacs (4 in number) present in your facial bones. They are located behind your forehead, nose, cheekbones, and in between your eyes.

Sinuses help in warming, moistening, and filtering the air in the nasal cavity and also produce mucous (a normal, slippery, and stringy fluid in the nose), which gets drained into the nasal cavity. Blockage of the draining of mucous leads to the filling of sinuses with mucous. This leads to sinusitis. Sinusitis can be acute or chronic.

Acute sinusitis lasts for a short time (for less than three to four weeks). Chronic sinus infections last for more than twelve weeks.

What Causes Sinus Infection?

A sinus infection occurs when bacteria from the nose enters the sinuses. It can be due to:

  • Common cold 

  • Nasal polyps (growths in the sinuses or on the lining of nasal passages, that are usually noncancerous)

  • Respiratory tract infections

  • Deviated nasal septum (a condition in which the nasal structure that separates the nostril and nasal cavity becomes crooked)

  • Allergies

  • Immune system deficiency or medicines that suppress the immune system 

Symptoms of Sinusitis

Sinusitis presents with:

  • Headache 

  • Face pain

  • Nasal discharge and nasal congestion (also known as the ‘stuffy nose’)

  • Fever

  • Loss of smell

  •  Sore throat

  • Cough 

  • Fatigue 

  • Eye pain and pain in the sinus 

The best way to reduce the symptoms of sinusitis is to visit an ENT specialist to understand the cause of your infection and take treatment accordingly. However, certain home remedies and tips can help prevent sinusitis. 

Do’s and Don’ts in Sinusitis

It is advisable to take early precautions as soon you are down with a cold and or with any upper respiratory infection (contagious infections that affect your nose, throat, and sinus). Be extra cautious during the cold seasons since sinus problems tend to flare up in winters. 

Do’s

1. Eat seasonal fruits like pomegranates, sweet oranges, papayas, apples, pears, etc., during the cold seasons. These fruits contain vitamin C which keeps off cold, flu, and sinus infections. Pomegranates and apples are rich in vitamin A which keeps your mucous lining or membranes healthy and prevents inflammation.

2. Add garlic and onion to your daily diet. Garlic releases a curative component called allicin, which helps thin out your mucous. It also reduces inflammation and relieves nasal congestion. 

Onions contain natural antihistamine (that prevents allergy) properties that aid in reducing allergic symptoms, congestion, inflammation and helps in draining your sinuses.

3. Eat warm, home-cooked meals that are light, nurturing, and easy to digest. Eating hot and spicy food is a natural way to open nasal passages and get your mucous flowing. 

Khichri (light and nourishing porridge) prepared with green gram, rice, and kitchen spices like ginger, cumin seeds, turmeric, fennel seeds, pepper, and cinnamon is good for sinusitis.

4. Eat a diet rich in anti inflammatory foods. When you have a sinus infection, inflammation is responsible for the pressure and pain you feel. Inflamed sinuses prevent mucous from draining efficiently. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating an anti inflammatory diet can help relieve the symptoms as you recover.

Anti inflammatory foods include tomatoes, olive oil, green leafy vegetables, nuts like almonds and walnuts, fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines, fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges.

5. Steam inhalation. Steam helps in opening the nasal passages and relieves sinus pressure. Boil water and put it into a large bowl. Lean over so that your face is just directly above the water. Cover your head with a towel and breathe through your nose. Do not put your head too deep in the bowl, near the hot water or you might sustain steam burns. 

Alternatively, you can use an electric steam inhaler or a vaporizer that is easily available in the market.

6. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water/fluids if you have sinusitis. Good hydration helps in thinning out the mucous and making it loose. Keep a bottle of water at your table so that you remember to drink water at regular intervals.

7. Use warm compresses. Moist heat can relieve the pressure in your sinuses, open blocked passages in your nose and reduce pain. Hold a wet warm towel against your face and breath in steam through the towel. You can also opt for a hot shower. This will help thin out your mucous and loosen it.

8. Exercising with a sinus infection is safe. Light exercises like walking during sinuses can relieve nasal congestion and reduce other symptoms of sinusitis. 

Exercise encourages your body to produce adrenaline. Adrenaline, a hormone, helps your blood vessels contract. Contracted blood vessels may help reduce the inflammation and swelling that causes a sinus infection.

Don’ts:

1. Avoid sitting in the AC (Air Conditioner) for too long when you have a sinus infection. Cold air may irritate the membranes of your sinuses and lead to excessive production of mucous. Air conditioners also reduce humidity (moisture) in the air, which may also trigger sinus problems. 

2. Avoid cold foods, drinks, cold water shower, or bath. Cold foods or drinks directly from the refrigerator will cause inflammation and eventually increase your sinus infection. You should avoid foods with added sugar as it reduces your immunity thus prolonging your recovery. 

3. Do not skip or delay your meals. Skipping your meals will disturb your gut health and cause indigestion. Indigestion will further make you susceptible to infections, including sinusitis.

4. Avoid frequent head baths during the cold seasons. Wet hair in cold weather seems to be a predisposing factor for sinusitis.

5. Avoid Alcohol. If you suffer from a sinus infection, do not drink alcohol as it dehydrates you quickly. Alcohol irritates the lining of your nasal passage, causing swelling and inflammation, leading to the worsening of your symptoms. 

6. Don’t breathe in foul air.  Avoid places that have dust, smoke and preferably stay indoors when the air pollution level is high. Pollution and smoke cause inflammation, oedema, and blocking of your sinuses, leading to aggravation of your symptoms.

7. Skip air travel if you have sinusitis. Flying can cause pain in your sinuses and aggravate your symptoms. To avoid troubles due to sinus infections, you can avoid/postpone your air travel.

8. Don’t self medicate. Do not take medicines without consulting your doctor as they might not be the right ones for you. Consult your doctor first and then take the prescribed medicines.


Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.